When it comes to plumbing repair, it is safe to say that you will probably be finding a plumber who will not only be quick, efficient, and cost-effective, but you’ll want to consider licensed plumbers who will save you money and energy in the future. Even a small, seemingly insignificant leak can lead to an exorbitant amount of water and money wasted. Across the U.S., household leaks can add up to over 1 trillion gallons of water wasted every year. That figures out to be around 10,000 gallons of water a year for the average household, and that is the same amount of water that could wash 270 laundry loads. More specifically, envision a pipe with a small crack that is merely one-eighth of an inch. That tiny crack can seep out over 250 gallons of water each and every day. And aside from the wasted water, simple plumbing repairs could save homeowners at least somewhere around 10% on their utility bills.

What else can be done, apart from plumbing repair?
Fixing plumbing problems is a good first step in saving both your wallet and the environment from unnecessary strain. But if you’re really committed to the cause, there is much more that could be done. Take for example, the fact that household faucet use contributes to over 15% of water use within a home. That could be cut back with conscious effort and conservation. But faucet use is overshadowed by the 30% of water use within homes that toilets account for. But how to conserve on that front?

Thinking outside the box to conserve

• Way outside the box
  It may sound crazy, but think about what life would look like with an outhouse! Is it really that crazy? Saving 30% of water use, in order to live simply. And it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. A properly managed outhouse poses no health risk and once it becomes part of your normal routine, you will find that it really is not that inconvenient.
• If Thoreau and our ancestors could do it…
  Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden about transcending to live a simpler, more deliberate life. It may take more additional work initially, but living off of the land and implementing features such as solar and wind powered technology instead of relying on electricity and fossil fuels will most certainly pay off. A more deliberate, earth-conscious lifestyle will end up saving more than just some pennies on utility bills.

It starts with fixing a leaky faucet. But the opportunity for the impact that we can have as humans on this planet is boundless. Maybe you’re not quite ready to go full-blown outhouse right off the bat, but there are definitely steps that you can take!